Automatic time-controlled switch



June 12, 1928.

' D. S. KNIZNIK AUTOMATIC TIME CONTROLLEQSWITCH Filed Oct 50, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 12, 1928. 1,673,049

D. s. KNlZNlK 7 AUTOMATIC TIME C IONTROLLED SWITQ} Filed Oct, 30, 1924 2 Sheets- W3 2 ymqwuyy Patented June 12, 1928. I

' UNITED STATES DAVID S. KNIZNIK, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

AUTOMATIC TIME-CONTROLLED SWITCH.

Application filed October 30, 1924; 'Serial No. 746,834.

My invention relates to automobiles and comprises the combination therewith of means to light the li at predetermined times.

1 am aware that others have patented various time controlled devices for. lighting the lights of an automobile but so far as 1 hting system thereof am aware thesev devices have contained such a multiplicity of working parts, have not been properly insulated or for various other reasons have been so impracticable that none is on the market today. So far as I am aware I am the first to provide a practical device of this description containin as few working parts. The desirability such a device is obvious, for it provides means whereby one may set the device so that the lights will be properly turned on at predetermined times as specified by statute in most States.

To this end I take the present lighting system of an automobile just as it stands. I take a standard alarm clock just as it stands. By adding eight small pieces which may be readily purchased anywhere, I provide so far as I am aware the first simple and practical device for this purpose. I bore three holes in the gong of an alarm clock, I insert three binding posts in these holes, I mount a leaf spring on one binding post having an end projecting over the other two binding posts, I mount a cam on the alarm winding arbor, with three pieces of wire I connect these three binding posts to the desired portions of the lighting system of the automobile preferably to the binding posts located on the usual panel, namely one to'the battery binding post, another to the tail and the other to the dimmer binding posts, I preferably cut off the alarm hammer and the device is completed.

It is obvious that my device functions perfectly independently of and in addition to the usual hand switch of an automobile for lighting the lights.

By embodying the usual desirable features of an alarm clock into my device, by mere setting of the usual on and ofif alarm set-ting lug I provide a device which may be made to operate or not as desired.

While my device is designed and adapted to be used in combination with the light ing system of an automobile, I also provide one of/the known simplest time controlled devices for completing an electric circuit and one which of its own inherent simplicity, seems to present patentable novelty over all other previous devices for this purpose.

These and such other objects of my invention as may hereinafter appear will be best understood from a description of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, Fig. l is a skeleton plan view showing the frame of an automobile and the various component parts of the lighting system thereo Fig. 2 is a side elevation of an alarm clock with my invention attached.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3'3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of an alarm clock with my invention attached showing the spring and cam thereof in dotted lines.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of an alarm clock with my invention attached.

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of 'a modified form of my invention employing only two binding posts attached to an alarm clock.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the modified form of my invention shown in Fig. 6 showing parts of the mechanism thereof in section.

a Fig. 8 is a view taken along line 88 of Fig. 7.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout, 10 generally indicates the frame of an automobile, containing the usual front and rear axles 12 having the wheels 14 attached thereto as usual, the side bars 16 and cross bars 18.

In the skeleton view shown in Fig. 1' I show' a circuit normally employed on a standard type of automobile. The binding posts 20 are preferably suitably mounted on the front edge of the board 22 which separates the drivers feet from the engine. For purposes of clarity I have designated these binding posts as 20, 20 20 and 20 referring respectively to the respective binding posts 20 as the one to receive the head light wire, 20 to receive the dim light wire, 20 to receive the tail light wire, and 20 to receive the battery wire. Mounted on the usual panel 24 in the front of the drivers seat is the usual switch 26 for turning the head and dimmer lights on and off respectively and my improved time controlled mechanism or alarm clock 28. The usual storage 'battery 30 is suitably mounted on the frame 10. Said battery has one terminal thereof suitably grounded to the frame 10 by the wire 32 and terminal of the switch 26 by means of wire 38 and it is alsoconnected to the bind 26 is well known.

. is conveniently the other terminal thereof suitably connected by the wire 34 to the binding post 20". The binding post 20 is connected to thebattery the ing post '40 of my improved alarm clock 28 by means of the wire inglpost 20 is suitably connected to the tail lig t 42 by the wire 44, which taillight is suitably grounded to the frame 10 by the wire 46. The switch 26 is provided with the usual contacts. The wire 48 connects the binding post 20 with its respective contact on the switch 26. The tail light binding post 20 is also connected to the binding post 52 of my alarm clock 28 by -the wire 56. The' dim light binding post 20 is suitably connected to the dim lamps 58 in the head lights 60 by the wire 62, the wire 62 being spht inportions 62 and 62 to lead to each light. The dim light binding post, 20 is connected by the wire 64 t0 the alarm clock binding post 54. The wire 66 connects the dim light.

binding post 20 to its respective contacton the switch 26. It is obvious that the tail light circuit is connected to the binding post 52 of the alarm clock 28and the dim light circuit is connected to the binding post 54 of the alarm clock 28, and that both the dim light binding post 20 and tail light binding post 2O are connected to the switch 26 to function simultaneously. The head light binding post 20 is suitably connected to the head lights 60 by means of the wire 68 which split into the wires 68* and 68 to connect each head light 60, each head light being suitably grounded both for the dim lights and the head lights to the frame 10 by the wires 7 0. The head light binding post 20 is connected to its respective contact in the switch 26 by the wire 71. v The operation of the manually controlled switch When the lights are oif the swinging lever 39 of the switch, normally rests on a dead contact of said switch. As

the lever 39 is turned it Wlll' contact with the proper live contacts to alternately light the dim and tail lights simultaneously or the head and tail lights simultaneously. I have worked out the circuits on such detail that the simple functioning of my invention may be more easily explained.

As explained, the wire 41 connects the usual battery binding post 20 with the battery binding post 40 on the time controlled mechanism 28, the wire 64 connects the dim 'light binding post 20 with the dim light binding post- 54 of my alarm clock mechanism and the wire 56 connects the tail light binding post 20 with the tail light binding post 52 of my alarm clock mechanism. It is obvious that when a circuit is completed in my time controlled mechanism 28, that independently of said manually controlled switch 30 will be connected to said tached to the rear of said clock 28, which 26 the battery 41. The tail light bind-" 88 and from said clock 28.

dim lights and tail light thereby lighting them at predetermined times, as will be explained. Though I have shown and described separate connections for the dim lights 58 and tail light 42, my time controlled mechanism 28 may be connected to the dim lights 58 alone, tail light 42 alone, head lights 60' or to any other desired lights on the lighting system without interfering in an way and independently of the already existing manually controlled switch 26 and that to attach my mechanism to the already existing lighting system of an automobile it is only necessary to connect the three wires 64, 41 and 56.

As explained, my invention broadly covers a spring make and break connection in an electric circuit and means to complete said circuit actuated by a shaft revoluble at predetermined time controlled .settings, such as an ordinary alarm clock having such .a

the alarm clock 28 I mountthe cam 74. Said cam 74 in my preferred embodiment preferably comprises the arm '7 6 havinga covering 7 8 of bakelite or other suitable insulating material wrapped around it and the collar 80 to enclose the alarm winding arbor 72. The set screw 82 is provided to tightly secure said collar 80 to said alarm winding arbor 72. The preferred form of make and break connection I employ includes the sprin 84 preferably mounted on said clock 28 a jacent to said cam 74. In my preferred embodiment, I cut the holes 86 radially of the periphery of the usual gong 88 of the alarm clock 28 and in said holes I mount the binding posts 90, 90. and'90 said binding posts preferably having the screw heads 92 retained within the gong 88 to provide electrically exposed portions within said exposed portions 92 are preferably insulated from said gong 88 by the bakelite insulating strip 94. The spring 84 may be mounted -on the base of the binding post 90 within said gong 88 between ,the screw head 92 and bakelite strip 94,'the end 96 thereof projecting over the electrically exposed portions 92 of the binding posts 90 and 90. The additional bakelite insulating collars 97 insulate the binding posts 90, 90 and 90 from the exterior surface of said gong The binding posts 90, .90" and 90 are provided with the threaded portions 100 projecting radially outwardly from said gong 88 provided with the usual thumb nuts 102 for connecting the wires thereto.

The gong 88 maybe mounted on the alarm clock 28 in any suitable fashion. In the preferred type of alarm clock shown it is mounted on the tripod 104, suitably atgong 88. Said electrically llu contains three screw holes 106 to receive the screws 108 (Fig. 4) to attach the gong thereto. When the gong is attached, both the alarm winding handle 112 and the time winding handle 114 may be attached as usual. The usual alarm setting stem 116, the usual fast and slow setting lug 118, and the usual on and off alarm setting lug 120 are employed. As explained the alarm hammer (not shown) is preferably cut off and the alarm on and oif lug 120 permits as usual revolution of the alarm winding. arbor 72 at the time controlled settings, when de sired. Fi 5 shows a front elevation of the clock s owing the face 122 which isprovided with the usual alarm setting dial 124,

and hands 125.

The operation ofmy invention is obvious from the above description. The binding post 90 forms the battery terminal 40 of the alarm clock 28, the binding post 90 preferably the tail light terminal 52 and the bindin post 90 the dim light terminal 54 thereo Assuming that the clock is suitably connected to the circuit as indicated above, it is obvious that when the lug 120 is moved to the on position, and when the clock 28 has run to the predetermined settingof the alarm winding dial 124, that by suitable internal mechanism (not shown) the alarm arbor 72 will start to revolve. As the alarm arbor revolves it carries with it the cam 74 and presses down the arm 76 thereof on the spring 84 until the end 96 thereof contacts with the electrically exposed screw heads 92 of the binding posts- 90 and 90 and is kept in contact therewith by the tension of the alarm winding spring (not shown), when, if the circuit has been suitably connected as hitherto explained, a complete electric circuit will be formed to light the dim lights 58 and tail light'42. To turn off the lights, the on and off lug 120 is turned to the off position, and the alarm winding arbor 72, is turned sufficiently to raise the arm 76 of the cam 74 away from the spring 84. The end 96 thereof will resiliently spring away from the electrically exposed portions 92 of the binding posts 90 and 90, thereby breaking the circuit and shutting off the lights. So long as the on and off lug 120 is in off position, my time controlled make and break connection to light the lights will not function. When it is desired to set the clock to light the lights at a predetermined time, the alarm key being already turned to function again by the prior operation of breaking the circuit, the alarm setting dial 124 is adjusted to the desired setting and turn the on and off lug 120 to the on position, and at the predetermined time the alarm winding arbor 72 will again revolve to light the lights, as explained.

In Figs. 6-8 I have shown a modified form of my invention where the cam 74 instead of. pressing the end 96 of the spring 84 radially outwar ly a ainst the electrically exposed portion 92 o the binding posts 90 and 90 presses it laterally rearwardly against the exposed portion 92 of the one binding post 90 said binding posts 90 and 90" being practicallyidentical in construction to these already shown in the prior embodiment, and being mounted in holes 86 cut axially of the gong 88 and extending rearwardly of the clock thereby improving the clocks front appearance, the parts of the alarm clock being similarly insulated.

In this embodiment, the wire 56 from the tail li ht binding post 20, and the wire 64 from t e dim light binding post 20" are connected to thesame binding post 90", thereby eliminating the use of the binding post 90. The disadvantage of this construction however, is, that when the manually controlled switch 26 is turned to light the headlights 60, the tail light 42 will also light, and as the tail light circuit is now connected to the dim light circuit, the wires 56 and 64 being connected together and to the binding post 54, whenever the head lights 60 are lighted the dim lights 58 will be llghted too, through the medium of the tail light circuit. It is for this reason that I have provided the extra binding post 90 on the alarm clock 28 in addition to the binding post 90*, to keep the tail and dim lights circuits independent of each other, but permitting both circuits to be simultaneously energized when the sprin 84 is depressed by the cam 72 at the desire predetermined time to" contact the electrically exposed portions 92 of both binding posts 90" and 90.

Though I have preferably mounted the spring 84 and binding posts 90", 90 and 90 on the alarm gong 88 it is obvious that they may be mounted adjacent to the cam 74 on any suitable member such as a shell or housing of bakelite or other suitable material, to

replace the gong and especially constructed for said clock.

I employ the words dim light to include the usual dim lights, parking lights or any other lights other than the tail light that may be employed on an automobile of lesser intensity than the headlights.

It is understood that my invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown and that various deviations may be made therefrom Without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure as Letters Patent is:

1. An automatic time controlled switch com rising an alarm clock having three bin ing posts 'insulatedly mounted on the casing thereof having electrically exposed portionswithin said casing, one binding post being electrically connectable to the power terminal of an electric circuit and the other two binding posts being independently connectable in parallel to two separate circuits, a conductor spring within said casing connected'to an electricallyexposed portion of one binding post connectable to the power terminal and projecting over the electrically exposed portion of the other binding posts and a cam mounted on the alarm winding arbor thereof revolvable at predetermined time controlled settings to depress said conductor spring to contact the exposed portion conductor spring within said casing con-,

of said other binding posts to complete said independent circuits on revolution of the alarm winding arbor at predetermined time controlled settings.

2. An automatic time controlled switch comprising, a clock having three binding posts insulatedly mounted on the casing thereof having electrically exposed portions within said casing,. one binding post being electrically connectable to the power terminal of an electric circuit and the other two binding posts being independently connectable in parallel to two separate circuits, at

nected to an electrically exposed portion of one binding post connectable to said power terminal and projecting over the electrically exposed portion of the other binding posts and a shaft revolvable at predetermined time controlled settings having a caminsulatedly mounted thereon to depress said conductor spring to contact the exposed portions of said other binding posts to simultaneously complete said separate circuits.-

3. An automatic time controlled switch comprising a clock having anarbor extending out of the back of the clock and a casing mounted on the back of the clock, a pair of binding posts mounted on the casing each having an electrically exposed portion within the casing,

means mounted on said arbor for engaging the conductor spring at predetermined time a conductor spring mountedwithin the casing on an electrically exposed the Spring controlled settings for moving the other into electrical engagement with binding post. 1

4 4. An automatic time controlled switch comprising an alarm clock having a houslng onthe'back thereof, a winding arbor extending out through the housing and having a winding key on the outer end thereof, a pair of binding posts mounted on the, housing, a conductor spring mounted on one binding post, and located inside the housing, a cam on the winding arbor, located inside the housing, for engaging the conductor spring for moving it into electrical engagement with the other binding p0st, and an on 1 and oif device associated with the alarm at predetermined time controlled intervals,

clock, a pair of binding posts mounted on the gong, a conductor spring mounted on post and pro ect1ng over 'anone binding electrically exposed parto of the other binding post, and cam means carried by. the.

winding arbor for engaging the conductor spring at predetermined time controlled settings for moving the spring into engagement with the other binding post. a

6. automatic time controlled switch comprising an alarm clock having a winding arbor extending out of the back of the clock, a pair of binding posts mounted on the outside of the clock, at the back thereof, a conductor spring mounted on one binding post and projectmg over an electrically exposed part of the other binding post, and nonconductive cam means, mounted on the winding arbor, outside of the rear part of the clock, for engaging the conductor springv atpredetermined time controlled intervals for moving the spring into electrical engagement with the'other binding post.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

DAVID .s'. KNIZNIK. 

